Senior Week Begins with Jambalaya and Applause
Blue Jays of the Class of 2015 were treated to a delicious jambalaya lunch on the first day of Senior Week, April 27 – May 1. The annual rite of passage rewards the upperclassmen for their hard work and exemplary behavior throughout their final year as high school students. This event is usually held outside on Will Clark Field, but the daylong inclement weather corralled the Jays into Student Commons, behind a less-than-serious caution tape, no less.
The seniors applauded the chef, Bill Poynot, who is a parent of alumnus Joe Poynot ’09. Poynot has been donating, cooking, and serving jambalaya to Blue Jays since his son was a student. “I’ll be back again and again,” he said. “And you couldn’t pay me for it. I just love doing this.”
The well-deserved senior celebration will continue with lunchtime activities each day this week (see the schedule below), concluding with Commencement Luncheon at which the graduating seniors are officially welcomed into the Alumni Association.
Schedule of Activities
Tuesday, April 28 | Senior College Shirt Day & Teacher Impersonations | Student Commons
Seniors may swap out their khaki uniform shirt for a shirt* from the college they’ll be attending in the fall. Brave seniors will also spend part of their lunchtime bringing truth to the phrase “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” as they put on their best impersonations of favorite faculty, coaches, and administration.
Wednesday, April 29 | Slip & Slide | Will Clark Field
The Class of 2015 will slip and slide their way into a fun afternoon in this favorite annual activity.
Thursday, April 30 | Shirt Signing | S. Solomon St. & Outside Chapel of the North American Martyrs
Seniors will gather in the far end of the school yard and on S. Solomon Street to take part in one of the newer traditions at Jesuit — amassing the autographs of their classmates and beloved faculty and administration on their uniform shirts.
Friday, May 1 | Senior Day | Senior Showcase & Commencement Luncheon | Auditorium & Mercedes-Benz Superdome
After being formally dismissed from their final Morning Assembly as Jesuit students, seniors make their way into the Auditorium to begin Senior Day activities. The main attraction is the Senior Showcase, a chance for Blue Jays to share their talents — and a few laughs — with their classmates.
Afterwards, seniors board several school buses and make their way downtown where the 270+ members of the Class of 2015 will be officially welcomed into the Jesuit Alumni Association at the Commencement Luncheon. This year the luncheon will be held in the Bienville Club Lounge of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Seniors and alumni guests will hear from speaker Col. Beau Higgins ’85, USMC (ret.). After 24 years of service in the Marine Corps, Colonel Higgins retired on Sept. 1, 2014. His meritorious performance in numerous deployments and combat missions have earned him several commendations including the Bronze Star Medal and the Marine Corps 2002 Intelligence Officer of the Year Award. He was recognized as Jesuit’s distinguished military alumnus during the 2014 Jesuit vs. Holy Cross game.